The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1887-07-02
YALE-HARvARp BOAT RACE.

A Hotly-COntested Struggle Won by Yale
The Attendance Unprecedentedly Large.
NEW LONDON, Conn.,, Jaly 1.-The twelfth
annual four mile straight-away between
eight-oared crews representing Yale and Har-
ward universities rowed this evening over
the Thames-river course from Gales Ferry to
Winthrop Point, and was won by Yale by five
and one-half lengths. Official time: Yale. 22:56;
Harvard, 23IO1
The attendance something unprecedente ted.
The shores along the course from start to finish
were very striking. The observation train con
tanned twenty-four packed cars, the grand stand
at the finish was crowded, three large steamers
took large crowds up the river, aud there were
thlrty-eight large steam and schooner yachts
besides innumerable smaller craft anchored
along the last mile of the course the crowd who
saw the race being estimated at Is, 900 people.
The water was in excellent condition, being
nearly slack and being ruf1ed only by a slight
westerly breeze blowing across the course. At
705 the referee signaled for the crews. and at
I'll Harvard pushed off from her float and pad
died over towards the starting point Yale did
not leave her float until 718 Both crews pad
died to the referees boat and were given their
hnai instructions after which they backed into
position. Yale having the west and Harvard the
east course. This was Yale's vantage point, but
it proved of little real benefit. At 1928 the word
was given. both crews catching the water very
quickly, Harvard gaining slight advantage.
Both crews started at thlrty-six stroke, but
after the first minute dropped to thirty three
aud thirty four. Harvard gradually drew away
from Yale. and in the first eighth of a mile led
by half length. Both crews were pull
ing in perfect form, and the excitement
was intense. Yales powerful stroke, however,
soon sent her shell up inch by inch, until at the
haifmle flag both BOATS seen from the press
boat, were bow and bow, though the official
time gives Harvard lead of two seconds
Harvards time here was 254, and Yae's 200.
Both crews were pulling in fine form, the body
and oar movement of each crew being
man. just after passing the halfmile flag Yale
dropped her stroke to 3d. Harvard pulling Sd
and So The exhibition of rowing in this half
mile was very fine. Both crews were putting in
their best efforts, but Yale's slow stroke proved
more effective. and her boat crept slowly to the
front and as they passed the mile in $40 and
5:23 Yale was just showing clear water ahead
of Harvard's boat. The second half mile was
the fastest of the race Yale doing it IN ga and
Harvard in 2:29. All through the third half
Yale kept her stroke down to 81 and 49, while
Harvard was pulling 81 and 50. AS they
neared the navy-yard Yale began to forge
ali cad, and showed twenty fee: of clear water
between the boats.
Up to this point the race had been one of the
most hotly-contested ever rowed between crews
from these two colleges. Off the navy-yard
Harvard spurted, and made grand effort to
close the gap, but Yale responded nobly, and at
the two mile flag had increased her lead to a
length and q half, passing that point in 11:093.
Harvard in 11:14a. At this point the
practically settled Yale was pulling 10 excellent
form, and her powerful stroke sent her boat
along at rafting gait. Harvard was also pull
ing in good form. but her stroke seemed to have
lost its effectiveness In the fifth half Yale
gained five seconds, and having the race we'll in
hand, dropped her stroke to 80 and 81. Harvard
still rowing 33 and 81. In the sixth half
Yale made additional gain of seven and one
half seconds, and passed the three-mile flag in
14:14, with lead of four lengths; Harvards
time. 14:23 1t began to look like a procession.
especially in the seventh half Yale added
fifth length 10 her credit doing the half in 251
to Harvards 2543, and passing the three and
one-half mile flag IN 70 minutes to Harvards
20193. In the last half mile Harvard made
desperate effort to lessen Yale's lead but it was
Of little avail, Yale maintaining her slow, swing
ing stroke paying very little attention to what
Harvard doing, and dashing across the fin
ishing line in 22:56-an easy winner by four or
five lengths Harvard's time 23:lO}. When
the Y ale men stopped rowing. Gin. who pulled
No. 2, fell hack in his seat exhausted, being
overcome by the strain and excitement.
Never since the foundation of Yale College
has there occurred such celebration of col
lege athletic victory occurred In this city to-
night. The news of Yale victory reached here
at 1850 and n less than ten minutes the town
ablaze with fre-work; the college chapel
and church bells were ringing, and the whole
town wild with excitement President
Dwight threw his hat in the air, and waved his
cane with delight when he heard the news.
The special train bearing the victorious crew
arrived at 11:30 o'clock, and very speedily the
victors were lifted the top of a tall y-ho coach
which their enthusiastic associates had provided.
Headed by a band and several thousand people.
the crew were driven to the campus. where large
fires were knded and fireworks discharged until
morning. During the tour of the procession,
President Dwight was serenaded, and. notwith-
standing the lateness of the hour he appeared,
aud congratulated the crew in ten-minute
speech.